A rock was also hurled at the property in Greenbank Crescent last night - police have confirmed.

Merseyside Police were called to the road just before 9pm following a report that "an altercation had taken place".

Police were told a man threw a rock at the house and threatened a man living there before using a rifle to fire shots at the property and leaving the scene in a grey Ford Focus.

Although nobody was hurt and police found no evidence of shot gun damage two suspected air rifles were later recovered nearby and have been taken away to be tested.

Detectives cordoned off the area while forensic examinations were carried out.

At this stage it is believed the house was targeted and an investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is underway.

Detective Sergeant Barry Jones said: "We take incidents of this nature very seriously and thankfully no one in the house was injured.

"I would appeal to anyone with information to contact police. We look into all information provided to us, no matter how small you might think it is, the information could be really useful for our enquiries."